Kathmandu: A daring expedition is underway as a team of four trekkers, including two foreign nationals, embarks on the challenging Great Himalayan Trail (GHT), one of Nepal’s most renowned trekking routes. The adventurous journey is led by Maria Andre, hailing from Slovenia, and promises to be a test of endurance and determination.
The team commenced their epic trek in Taplejung district, with their ultimate destination being Ghunsa, as reported by local sources. The Great Himalayan Trail, spanning a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers, winds through Nepal’s mountainous regions, traversing eight majestic peaks along the way. It has gained recognition as one of the most ambitious and demanding trekking routes, attracting adventure enthusiasts from both within Nepal and around the world. The trail stretches from Taplejung district in the east to Darchula district in the west.
Maria Andre, the leader of this intrepid team, has a remarkable mountaineering history, having successfully scaled eight mountains, including the formidable Mount Everest. Her mountaineering accomplishments date back to 1991 when she conquered Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak. Now, she is in Nepal to undertake the Great Himalayan Trail, a journey that promises to be her next great adventure.
Their ambitious plan is to complete the entire trek within a span of 115 to 120 days, as disclosed by Ensuhang Rai, a guide accompanying the team and hailing from Solukhumbu district. The endeavor comes at a considerable cost, estimated to range between NPR 5 to 6 million for a team of four trekkers.
The route the team is following will take them from Lumbasubba mountain to the Makalu Base Camp in Sankhuwasabha district, passing through the Kanchenjunga Base Camp and Olanchung Gola, all integral parts of the Great Himalayan Trail, according to tourism entrepreneur Tenzing Nupu.
Trekking the entire Nepali segment of the GHT is a time-consuming endeavor, spanning approximately 150 days on the rugged trails, as explained by the guide Santosh Tamang. The team has already embarked on their journey, making their way from Phunglin to Hangdewa-Mitlung-Sinwa-Chhiruwa.
Just a week prior to this, another team of trekkers bidding to conquer the Great Himalayan Trail bid farewell to the locals. This earlier team consisted of three foreign tourists, including two German nationals and one Australian. Amir Maden, mayor of Phunglin Municipality, extended his best wishes for a successful journey to this departing team during a farewell event.
The trail the trekkers are now navigating was once the primary route for tourists heading to Kanchenjunga before the construction of a road network. Travelers using the route from Phunglin to Lelepa would typically make Mitlung their first camp, followed by Chiruwa as the second stop and Lelepa as the third.
The Great Himalayan Trail, extending for approximately 4,500 kilometers, spans from Kanchenjunga in Taplejung in the east to Darchula in the west. The increased tourist activity in Taplejung in recent times has spurred the local tourism, hotel, and transport industries, according to Bimal Bhandari, a hotel entrepreneur.
